Integrated plan to prevent, combat human trafficking drafted

Published: Tuesday, November 20, 2007, 18:15 [IST]

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New Delhi, Nov 20 (UNI) The government is preparing a draft on Integrated Plan of Action to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking with Special Focus on Children and Women, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Home Affairs Manikrao H Gavit said the draft was being prepared in close consultation with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, National Human Rights Commission and National Commission for Women.

He said the government has initiated a number of steps to combat trafficking which included (i) A Central Advisory Committee (CAC) on implementation of Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act functioning at the Central level in the Ministry of Women and Child Development, which is represented by States as well as Central Organisations and NGOs.

The CAC holds quarterly meetings. Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act is in the process of being amended to make it more stringent against traffickers.

(ii) The Ministry of Home Affairs has set up a Nodal Cell to coordinate matters relating to trafficking in human beings between the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations and other related Ministries and organise co-ordination meetings to review and sensitise Police Officers of the States/Union Territories on the subject.

(iii) The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) has prepared a training manual on ''Human Trafficking Handbook for Investigators'' for use in the Police Training Institutes.

(iv) BPR&D is organising regional anti-trafficking workshops for sensitising police personnel towards the safety and security of women. Several workshops have been held in various cities till date.

(v) The Ministry of Women and Child Development is also implementing a pilot project to combat trafficking of women and children.